Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Carlos Maurice Talbott (0-25797),

Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while

serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 397th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat

against enemy forces on 11 September 1944, during an air mission over in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Captain

Talbott found his squadron of P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes outnumbered three to one by German fighters over Belgium. The Luftwaffe

fighters were flying at 20,000 feet, well above their intended American targets, and had positioned themselves to block the return to the

base of the Thunderbolts, which were low on fuel and ammunition. Captain Talbott ended up alone at 15,000 feet after losing his element

leader and wingman, but he still downed two German fighters and disrupted the enemy formation's attack before his plane was shot down.

As Captain Talbott parachuted to the ground, he was amazed to see the four pursuing Luftwaffe pilots salute him before flying away.

Captain Talbott's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great

credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 97 (1944)